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IU Simon Cancer Center's tissue bank collecting samples Jan. 10

INDIANAPOLIS -- (Dec. 8, 2008) -- Would you like to contribute to breast cancer research?

You can help by donating a tissue sample to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 in the Hematology Clinic and Women's Center (second floor) in the new patient building of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, 1030 W. Michigan St.

Parking is available across the street in the Vermont Street Garage on the Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus.

During the donation process, a tissue sample is taken from one breast with a needle and local anesthesia. The amount of tissue taken is about one gram (or the size of two peas).

To participate, women must:

be age 18 or older

have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign an informed consent

be willing to give one hour of their time to complete a questionnaire and a breast biopsy

not be allergic to local anesthetics (numbing medicine)

not be receiving a therapeutic blood thinner (this does not include aspirin)

By collecting samples from women with and without breast cancer, researchers will be able to determine the differences between these populations, which could lead to a better understanding of the disease. Samples taken from women without the disease are especially helpful because there are few collections of so-called "normal" specimens. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center will ultimately give researchers valuable and unprecedented research data.